Richard Spencer

Unity Event, Protests at White Nationalist's Visit to College Station

Texas A&M Police said two people who are not students were arrested Tuesday

Hundreds of people protested a white nationalist's speaking engagement Tuesday evening at the Texas A&M University campus.

Several groups protested outside of the student center before and during the appearance by Richard Spencer, who leads the white nationalist organization dubbed the alt-right.

Some silently held placards while others loudly chanted slogans.

A counter event at Kyle Field, which included music and speeches highlighting diversity and unity, drew hundreds of attendees.

Meanwhile, about 400 people filled a student center ballroom — some listening to Spencer, others jeering him. Those attending the speech had to walk a gauntlet of chanting protesters while leaving the hall.

Spencer's group, the National Policy Institute, gained prominence and notoriety immediately after the election of Donald Trump to president for holding a meeting in Washington, D.C., in which he said "Hail Trump" and "hail our people" and received Nazi-like salutes from some in the crowd.

Spencer later claimed in an NBC News interview the comments were meant to be "ironic."

Texas A&M University police said two people who are not students were arrested Tuesday. Further details on the arrests were not immediately available.

A&M officials said they didn't schedule the speech by Spencer, who was invited to speak by a former student, 51-year-old Preston Wiginton, who reserved campus space available to the public.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us